16 Georgia Pizza Spots Where Family Traditions Still Matter
Georgia has some of the best pizza places you’ll ever visit, and many of them are still run by the same families who started them decades ago. I love how these spots keep their original recipes alive while creating warm, welcoming spaces where everyone feels at home.
When you walk through their doors, you’re not just getting great food – you’re becoming part of a story that’s been passed down through generations.
1. Antico Pizza Napoletana in Atlanta
Walking into this place feels like stepping into a Naples kitchen where grandma’s cooking. The wood-fired oven burns at incredibly high temperatures, creating those signature charred bubbles on the crust that pizza lovers dream about.
Giovanni Di Palma brought his family’s authentic recipes from Italy in 2009. Every ingredient gets imported directly from Italy, ensuring you taste the real deal with each bite. The San Gennaro pizza topped with sausage remains their most popular choice among regulars.
2. Fellini’s Pizza in Atlanta
Since 1982, this funky spot has been serving massive slices to hungry Atlantans looking for a late-night bite. Clay Harper and his partners created something special by combining New York-style pizza with a quirky, artistic atmosphere that makes every visit memorable.
The walls showcase local art and vintage movie posters. You can grab a slice bigger than your head for just a few bucks. Their white pizza with ricotta has earned legendary status among Georgia Tech students and downtown workers alike.
3. Vittoria Pizzeria in Decatur
Family recipes from southern Italy guide everything that comes out of this kitchen. Owner Vittoria Fariello named the restaurant after herself and runs it with the same passion her ancestors had for feeding people well.
The dough ferments for three full days before it ever sees the oven. This slow process creates incredible flavor and texture that you won’t find at chain restaurants. I recommend trying their Margherita pizza, which keeps things simple so you can appreciate the quality of each ingredient.
4. Your Pie in Athens
Drew French started this concept in 2008 right in his hometown, creating Georgia’s first fast-casual pizza chain. What began as one small restaurant has grown into multiple locations, but the family values remain at the core of everything they do.
You get to customize your personal pizza with unlimited toppings for one price. The brick ovens cook your creation in just four minutes flat. They also pioneered offering gluten-free and vegan options long before it became trendy across the industry.
5. Mellow Mushroom in Various Georgia Locations
Born in Atlanta back in 1974, this psychedelic pizza joint started when three college students opened a shop in a former liquor store. The funky atmosphere with trippy art and laid-back vibes became instantly popular with the counterculture crowd.
Each location features unique artwork and maintains that original hippie spirit. Their stone-baked pizzas use spring water dough that’s never frozen. The Holy Shiitake Pie loaded with mushrooms and caramelized onions showcases their creative approach to traditional pizza making.
6. Savage Pizza in Atlanta
This place proves that pizza can be both fast and fantastic. Owners Brent and Jennifer Savage (yes, that’s their real name!) opened their doors in 2009 with a mission to serve Detroit-style square pizzas that honor Brent’s Michigan roots.
The thick, crispy crust gets topped all the way to the edges with cheese that caramelizes against the pan. Their sauce goes on top of the cheese, Detroit-style, creating a totally different pizza experience. The Roni Supreme loaded with pepperoni sells out regularly.
7. Nina & Rafi in Decatur
Rafi Kurtishi grew up in his family’s pizzeria in Brooklyn before bringing those skills to Georgia. He and his wife Nina opened this neighborhood spot where everyone knows your name after just a couple of visits.
The coal-fired oven reaches temperatures that create an incredibly crispy yet chewy crust. They make their mozzarella fresh daily in-house. The Bee Sting pizza with hot honey drizzle perfectly balances sweet and spicy flavors. Kids love watching the pizza makers toss dough through the open kitchen window.
8. Varuni Napoli in Atlanta
Luca Varuni left his hometown near Naples to share authentic pizza with Atlanta. His restaurant earned certification from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, meaning it meets strict standards for true Neapolitan pizza.
Only specific ingredients make the cut here – San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and Italian flour get imported weekly. The oven was built by hand using volcanic rock from Mount Vesuvius. Each pizza cooks for exactly ninety seconds at nine hundred degrees, creating that signature leopard-spotted crust that pizza purists adore.
9. Cameli’s Gourmet Pizza in Columbus
The Cameli family brought their New York pizza heritage to Georgia and never looked back. Brothers Chris and Jeff started slinging slices in Columbus, creating a beloved local institution that’s been growing steadily through word-of-mouth.
Their dough recipe comes straight from their grandmother’s kitchen in New York. You can order by the slice or grab a whole pie. The Grandma Pizza with thin-crust, fresh mozzarella, and basil pays homage to their family roots. They’ve expanded across the Southeast while keeping quality consistent.
10. Brooklyn’s New York Pizza in Marietta
Johnny Carbone moved south from Brooklyn and couldn’t find decent pizza anywhere. So he opened his own place in 1999, bringing authentic New York pies to suburban Atlanta.
The water here gets filtered to match New York’s mineral content, which seriously affects how the dough develops. His sauce recipe remains a closely guarded family secret. Giant slices fold perfectly in half for that classic New York eating style. Locals line up during lunch rush for slices paired with their homemade garlic knots.
11. DaVinci’s Pizzeria in Decatur
Brothers from Sicily opened this gem over twenty years ago, determined to recreate the flavors from their childhood. Their mother’s recipes guide the menu, from the pizza dough to the homemade cannoli.
Everything gets made from scratch daily using traditional methods passed down through generations. The Sicilian-style thick crust pizza loaded with vegetables showcases their heritage beautifully. Families gather here for Sunday dinners, just like they would back in Italy. The warm hospitality makes first-time visitors feel like returning relatives.
12. Goodfella’s Pizza in Kennesaw
This family-run spot opened its doors with a simple goal: serve honest pizza that tastes like home. The Marino family pours their hearts into every pie, treating customers like extended family members rather than transactions.
Their specialty pizzas feature creative combinations you won’t find elsewhere. The Chicken Bacon Ranch has become a local favorite among kids and adults alike. They host community events regularly, supporting local schools and sports teams. The dining room fills with laughter and conversation every evening as neighbors catch up over slices.
13. Ammazza Pizzeria in Duluth
Chef Giovanni Caserta brings decades of pizza-making experience from Italy to suburban Atlanta. His restaurant name means amazing in Italian slang, and the food lives up to that bold claim every single day.
The Neapolitan-style pizzas feature puffy, airy crusts with minimal toppings that let quality ingredients shine. Caserta personally trains every pizza maker to ensure consistency. The Diavola with spicy salami brings just enough heat. Regular customers know to arrive early on weekends because the limited dough supply often sells out.
14. Giordano’s in Woodstock
The Giordano family didn’t invent Chicago deep-dish pizza, but they’ve perfected it over decades. Their Georgia location brings that famous stuffed pizza tradition to the South, complete with buttery crust and layers of cheese.
Each deep-dish pie takes about forty minutes to bake properly. The cheese goes directly on the dough, then toppings, then chunky tomato sauce on top. Patience pays off when you bite through those glorious layers. Share one with friends because these pizzas are seriously filling and absolutely worth the wait.
15. Mezza Luna Pasta & Seafood in Alpharetta
While seafood appears in the name, their pizza program deserves serious recognition. The Romano family runs this upscale Italian restaurant where pizza making is treated as an art form worthy of respect and attention.
Their wood-burning oven imported from Italy creates restaurant-quality pies with restaurant-quality ingredients. Fresh seafood toppings like clams and shrimp elevate their specialty pizzas beyond typical offerings. The Frutti di Mare pizza loaded with mixed seafood transports you straight to the Italian coast. White tablecloths and attentive service make this perfect for special occasions.
16. Slice Downtown in Athens
Right in the heart of college town Athens, this late-night pizza joint has been fueling students and music lovers since the local scene exploded. The owners understand that sometimes you just need a massive, affordable slice after a concert.
Their New York-style pizzas by the slice stay hot under warming lights until 3 AM on weekends. The simple cheese slice hits the spot perfectly. Local bands often stop by after playing nearby venues. The casual atmosphere and rock posters covering the walls create an authentic college-town vibe that never gets old.
